They say that Patience pays and that hard work even Pay’s more. For 11 years now, Zlatan Ibrahimovich has been Sweden’s men player of the year until Man United’s Victor Lindelof happened.
The 24-year old brought an end to Zlatan’s 11-year reign in Swedish Football.
Lindelof, who joined United from Benfica for £30 million in 2017, received the ‘Guldbollen’ trophy at a ceremony in Sweden’s capital after establishing himself at Old Trafford and shining at the World Cup finals in Russia.
He thanked his team-mates and family for the fete he achieved.
Lindelof has started 10 of the Reds’ 12 Premier League games this season and, despite some nervous moments, moved ahead of the likes of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in the central defensive pecking order.
“It means very much for me to receive this prize,” he said at the event, also attended by ex-United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who won the award for 10 consecutive years up to 2016.
“I am extremely proud and grateful,” he added. “I want to thank all my team-mates in my club and national team, but also my family, who have always been there for me in wet and dry. You really mean everything to me.
“I would also like to thank my beautiful wife, who is always there, helping and supporting me.”
“It’s always good for me to play so I’m very happy at the moment. Not with the results, but I want to keep on going to try to help the team in the way that I can”
“A lot of players take time to adjust. I feel good. I think this season is hopefully going to be better than last season – for the team and also for myself.”
Lindelof is part of the Sweden squad that will face Turkey and Russia in the Nations League on November 17 and 20 respectively.
Do you think Lindelof will maintain his current form and help propel Man United to a top 4 finish?